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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A string of chords played in succession.






2. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






3. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






4. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






5. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






6. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






7. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






8. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






9. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






10. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






11. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






12. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






13. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






14. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






15. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






16. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






17. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






18. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






19. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






20. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






21. The distance in pitch between two notes.






22. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






23. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






24. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






25. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






26. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






27. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






28. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






29. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






30. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






31. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






32. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






33. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






34. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






35. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






36. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






37. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






38. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






39. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






40. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






41. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






42. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






43. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






44. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






45. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






46. A separate section of a larger composition.






47. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






48. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






49. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






50. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.